The Practice of the Wild

by Gary Snyder

Gary Snyder is an American poet, environmental activist,  and writer who was a part of the San Francisco Renaissance of the 1960s.  He is often referred to as the “poet laureate of Deep Ecology”.  Snyder has published about two dozen books in both poetry and prose form.

The Practice of the Wild was published in 1990 during a time of increasing technological speeds, and decreasing human attention spans. It may take the reader some time to adjust to Snyder’s calming style of writing. It took me several pages before I began to focus more clearly, understand the author’s rhythm, and begin to listen to his message of the meaningfulness of wildness, freedom, and a true connection with the land.

This book is a series of essays that have connections with each other but really do stand on their own. Each essay is a meditation and contemplation on the way modern Americans live, how we can still listen to and talk to the land, and why living with grace is an inherent part of being human.

Join us to discuss this book at our next Nature’s Narratives Book Discussion Group on Wednesday, March 13^th at 5:30 in the Wister Center.